Vancouver, BC—What began as a small project to install art and liven up the walls of UGM’s live-in alcohol and drug recovery program has evolved into a full-fledged rotating gallery, utilizing works from artists across Greater Vancouver. Seventeen works of art will be displayed for viewing on Thursday, August 30th at the grand opening of this unique gallery space.  A separate collection of paintings, by contributing artists will be for sale, with 100% of proceeds going towards UGM’s life-changing programs and services.  

The initial art collection project exploded when Union Gospel Mission approached Jeanne Krabbendam, a mixed media artist and Emily Carr instructor, about donating one of her paintings to UGM’s facility to help brighten the walls for the men in recovery. 

“I was more than happy to donate a piece of art,” she says, “but I recognized there was potential here to create a much wider impact.” Krabbendam conceptualized the idea of a rotating gallery, knowing her access to an extensive network of artists willing to share their works would open up a world of possibilities for art at UGM. The mission was thrilled with the idea. 

“Because all the pieces are from Vancouver, it promotes sharing within the community,” says Krabbendam. “And it’s not just beneficial for those viewing the art, it’s beneficial for artists. It gets them through the doors of UGM and over to the Downtown Eastside. I know so many people who care about the area and are interested in participating, but they are apprehensive about actually coming into the space. This gallery grand opening is a great way to bridge those gaps and dispel some myths.” 

Krabbendam’s own artwork bridges those gaps. Her recent series of abstracts are based on the theme “TOUCHED.” It explores the people and places who are often forgotten—the back alleys of our cities, the places we don’t show our visitors coming to town, and the places we don’t normally look. Through her work, Krabbendam is bringing forgotten people and places out of the margins and back into the public’s consciousness.

Another artist, Maple Lee, also caught the vision and has brought her unique artistic and entrepreneurial skills to UGM in order to bring about tangible help. When Lee heard about the gallery, she also saw a unique opportunity to reach out. She proposed the idea of a Hope for a New Beginning art sale fundraiser where 100% of the proceeds support the work of UGM.

“I’ve always seen UGM as a place of hope and new beginnings,” says Lee. “The process of creating art for the fundraiser has been a journey of renewal and new beginnings for each of the contributing artists. Central to this fundraiser, however, is the fact that the proceeds will be going toward giving hope and a new beginning for people in the Downtown Eastside.” And those who purchase the art will not only acquire beautiful, meaningful paintings by notable artists, their participation actively brings tangible help to those most in need.

Many of the pieces for sale were created with the theme, Hope for a New Beginning, in mind. Among the contributed pieces are the works by the late Toni Onley, who was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1999, as well as by his daughter Lynn Onley. 

What: Grand-Opening of Rotating Gallery 

When:         Thursday, August 30, 2012

Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm 

Where:         Union Gospel Mission, fifth floor gallery, patio for keynote speaker

Details:         Live jazz music and tapas generously provided by Establishment Lounge; optional guided tours of the facility will                         be available 

Invite Only:     Due to limited space, this event is invite-only for the general public. Members of the mainstream media are                                  warmly invited to attend.

Union Gospel Mission has been feeding hope and changing the lives of men, women, and children for over 70 years. Through its 8 locations in Metro Vancouver, UGM provides counseling, education, safe housing, and alcohol and drug recovery to those struggling with poverty, homelessness, and addiction. The heart of the mission is to demonstrate God’s transforming love, ease the burden of the most vulnerable, rebuild the lives of the broken, and offer dignity to those who feel cast aside. To find out more, visit www.ugm.ca.

30/08/2012